Congregation plans an inclusive seder

Published: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 10:03 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 10:03 a.m.

Passover serves as an opportunity for some to reconnect to their faith as those close to them from other religions embrace the cultural wonders of the holiday.

The seder hosted by the Jewish Congregation of Venice is an opportunity for unaffiliated Jews and Christians to come together to celebrate the Jews' freedom from Egyptian slavery, Rabbi Daniel Krimsky said.

About 120 people are expected to attend the dinner March 25. Although most will be JCC members, Krimsky said other clergy may take part as well as non-Jewish neighbors and friends.

The event reminds him of growing up in New York City when his parents opened their home.

"I had people of all backgrounds and even family members who weren't necessarily synagogue-belonging, and we'd all come together" at my parents' or grandparents' home, he said.

Leona Uchitelle, ritual committee chairwoman for the congregation, said the Passover seder is a hallmark of family time for young Jews who may not regularly attend services.

"It's a time when kids come home from school, kids come back to their parents' home," she said. "They may not practice their Judaism, but they don't forget to come home for the Passover seder."

Symbolic foods like roasted lamb, oranges and beitzah, or hard-boiled eggs, are all part of the story of Passover that makes it one of the best holidays to introduce a non-Jew or one returning to the faith, Krimsky said.

"It exemplifies a lot of the beauty in our traditions and how important family values are," he said. "It's a beautiful time to witness also what our attachments are to rituals and stories. It's a really dynamic time."

Central to the traditions is the sharing of wine that represents the types of deliverance promised by God. Wine must be poured by one another in a way that serves as an icebreaker for those of any faith.

"That custom right there makes it very warm and inviting," Krimsky said. "It's one of the most dynamic times for that sense of invitation and welcoming."

The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. March 25 at the Jewish Congregation of Venice, 600 N. Auburn Road, Venice. For reservation information, call 484-2022 or visit www.jewishcongregationofvenice.org.

<p>Passover serves as an opportunity for some to reconnect to their faith as those close to them from other religions embrace the cultural wonders of the holiday.</p><p>The seder hosted by the Jewish Congregation of Venice is an opportunity for unaffiliated Jews and Christians to come together to celebrate the Jews' freedom from Egyptian slavery, Rabbi Daniel Krimsky said.</p><p>About 120 people are expected to attend the dinner March 25. Although most will be JCC members, Krimsky said other clergy may take part as well as non-Jewish neighbors and friends.</p><p>The event reminds him of growing up in New York City when his parents opened their home.</p><p>"I had people of all backgrounds and even family members who weren't necessarily synagogue-belonging, and we'd all come together" at my parents' or grandparents' home, he said.</p><p>Leona Uchitelle, ritual committee chairwoman for the congregation, said the Passover seder is a hallmark of family time for young Jews who may not regularly attend services.</p><p>"It's a time when kids come home from school, kids come back to their parents' home," she said. "They may not practice their Judaism, but they don't forget to come home for the Passover seder."</p><p>Symbolic foods like roasted lamb, oranges and beitzah, or hard-boiled eggs, are all part of the story of Passover that makes it one of the best holidays to introduce a non-Jew or one returning to the faith, Krimsky said.</p><p>"It exemplifies a lot of the beauty in our traditions and how important family values are," he said. "It's a beautiful time to witness also what our attachments are to rituals and stories. It's a really dynamic time."</p><p>Central to the traditions is the sharing of wine that represents the types of deliverance promised by God. Wine must be poured by one another in a way that serves as an icebreaker for those of any faith.</p><p>"That custom right there makes it very warm and inviting," Krimsky said. "It's one of the most dynamic times for that sense of invitation and welcoming."</p><p>The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. March 25 at the Jewish Congregation of Venice, 600 N. Auburn Road, Venice. For reservation information, call 484-2022 or visit www.jewishcongregationofvenice.org.</p>